Venous Ulcer Treatment That Targets the Root Cause Near You
Treat the Vein Problem Behind Your Slow-Healing Leg Sores
A small scrape or sore on your lower leg should begin closing within a couple of weeks. When it doesn't, especially when it sits near your ankle, grows, or keeps coming back, it's time to ask why. Slow-healing leg sores can be one of the more serious signs of vein disease. When damaged vein valves let blood pool in the lower legs for years, the pressure can harm the skin and the tissue beneath it, and an open sore called an ulcer can form. Doctors call these venous leg ulcers. Bandages and ointments alone often struggle to heal them because the vein problem that caused them is still there.
At Vista Veins, we're a physician-owned vein clinic. Dr. Latouf or one of our experienced surgeons will examine the sore, review your health history, and use ultrasound to check the veins in your leg. Dr. Latouf's background in emergency medicine helps her recognize when a sore needs urgent attention. If a vein problem is behind your sore, we offer minimally invasive treatments, and we see new patients in weeks, not months.
Request an appointment today to have your leg sore evaluated.
Venous Ulcer Treatment at Vista Veins
What Causes Venous Leg Ulcers and How They're Treated
A venous leg ulcer is an open sore on the lower leg caused by long-term high pressure in the veins. It's the most common type of leg ulcer. When vein valves fail, blood pools, and the pressure damages tiny blood vessels and the skin around them. Over time the skin breaks down, and the sore struggles to heal because blood isn't flowing through the leg the way it should. You may also hear it called a venous stasis ulcer, because blood stalls and pools in the veins.
A venous ulcer often looks like this:
- Located near the ankle or on the inner part of the lower leg
- Shallow, with uneven edges
- May leak fluid
- Surrounded by swollen, discolored, or hardened skin
Warning Signs Before an Ulcer Forms
Ulcers rarely appear without warning. Long-standing vein disease often shows these signs first:
- Swelling in the ankles and lower legs (leg swelling and edema)
- Brown, red, or purple discoloration near the ankles
- Itchy, dry, tight, or hardened skin
- Aching or heavy legs, often from chronic venous insufficiency
- Visible varicose veins
When a Leg Sore Needs Prompt Attention
See a provider soon if a leg sore:
- Hasn't started healing after about two weeks
- Keeps getting bigger
- Keeps coming back
Get care right away if you notice signs of infection:
- Spreading redness
- Warmth
- Pus
- A bad smell
- Fever
Not every leg sore comes from the veins. Other causes of sores on legs that won't heal need different care:
- Poor circulation in the arteries
- Diabetes
- Constant pressure on the skin
That's why an exam comes first. If you have diabetes or known artery disease, don't wait to have a sore checked.
Venous Ulcer Treatment: Healing the Sore and Treating the Cause
Venous ulcer treatment usually has two parts:
- Caring for the sore itself, which often includes compression therapy (wraps or stockings that gently squeeze the legs) to reduce swelling and support healing
- Treating the vein problem that caused the ulcer
If only the sore is treated, it can heal and then return, because the pressure in the veins stays high. Studies have shown that closing the diseased vein can help ulcers heal faster and lower the chance they come back. At Vista Veins, we offer these treatments, which close a damaged vein so blood can reroute through healthier ones:
- Radiofrequency ablation: uses controlled heat
- Varithena: uses a medical foam
- Sclerotherapy: uses an injection for smaller veins
Your provider will explain how these fit with the care your sore needs and which steps should come first. If you'd like a quick read on your symptoms, take our vein symptom quiz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best venous ulcer treatment?
The best venous ulcer treatment addresses both the sore and the vein problem behind it:
- Compression therapy and proper wound care support healing
- Closing the diseased vein with radiofrequency ablation or Varithena reduces the pressure that caused the ulcer
Your provider will build a plan around your veins and your sore.
Why won't the sores on my legs heal?
Leg sores that don't heal are often caused by poor circulation, and in many cases the cause is vein disease. High pressure from pooled blood damages the skin and slows repair. Other causes can stop sores from healing too:
- Artery disease
- Diabetes
- Infection
That's why an exam and ultrasound are important. Dr. Latouf or one of our experienced surgeons can help sort out the cause.
Does insurance cover leg ulcer treatment?
Vista Veins accepts most major insurance plans, and leg ulcer treatment is often covered when it's medically necessary, since ulcers are a recognized complication of vein disease. Coverage rules vary by plan, and our team can help you understand your benefits. If you'd rather avoid the approval process, we also offer self-pay options.
How do I find a leg ulcer doctor near me?
Scheduling at Vista Veins is easy, and we offer online scheduling. Request your consultation online or call our office, and we'll get you on the calendar in weeks, not months. Take the first step toward getting your leg sore evaluated. We look forward to seeing you!